It was a thrilling weekend of passion, power and precision as Not Bad Sports Arena hosted the second edition of the Nigeria Top 16 Men’s Classic Table Tennis Tournament on July 4th and 5th, 2025, at its indoor hall in Egbeda, Lagos.
The event, sanctioned by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), featured the country’s top 16 ranked male players battling for supremacy. After intense rallies and upsets, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, ranked #2 nationally, emerged champion, defeating Rilwan Akanbi, ranked #12, in a gripping final match that kept the crowd on edge.
But beyond the competition, one major talking point stood out—the absence of a women’s equivalent. Spectators and stakeholders alike voiced concerns about the lack of representation for female players. In response, the organisers promised that the next edition will include a “Nigeria Top 10 Women’s Classic Tournament”, with NTTF rankings determining the qualifiers.
The two-day event was not short of surprises. Many top seeds were knocked out early in the group stages, proving that in table tennis, rankings don’t always dictate the outcome.
Owned by a die-hard table tennis enthusiast, Not Bad Sports Arena is steadily becoming a major hub for grassroots sports development. Their commitment goes beyond trophies; it’s about creating opportunities for young Nigerian talents to shine.
In a statement, the Arena’s management expressed deep appreciation to the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation for their unbiased officiating and dedication to global standards. They also extended heartfelt thanks to their sponsors, describing them as the backbone of every successful outing.
“We’re ever grateful to our sponsors for answering our call time and again. May God bless them with abundance, long life, and good health,” the statement read.
As the echo of cheers fades from the Egbeda venue, one thing is clear: Not Bad Sports Arena is not just hosting tournaments—it’s shaping the future of table tennis in Nigeria.
